Arrow rest



Feb, ii, 19% G. B GUYTON 3,232,2%6

ARROW REST Filed y 11, 1962 INVENTOR. G/en 5. G

United States Patent 3,232,286 ARROW REST Glen B. Guyton, 1639 E. Pine,Tulsa, Okla. Filed May 11, 1962, Ser. No. 194,083 3 Claims. (Cl.124--24) This invention relates to improvements in bow and arrowstructures and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to anarrow rest adapted for installation on substantially any type of bowstructure.

It is common practice today to provide an arrow rest device on a bowstructure for facilitating the shooting of the arrow. As a result, thereare many types of arrow rests available. However, most of these arrowrest structures have at least one disadvantage in that they tend todeflect the arrow, thereby reducing its accuracy.

In an effort to determine why the arrow rest structures deflect themoving arrow, observations have been made of the behavior of the arrows,particularly during the initial propelling thereof, and it has beenfound that normally, substantially immediately upon release of thearrow, the bow structure will rotate in the archers hand through asubstantially vertical plane. That is, the lower limb of the bow willmove in a forward direction while the upper limb simultaneously moves ina rearward direction. This is apparently due, in part, to the design andbalance of the bow, the manner in which the bow is held by the archer,and by the misalignment of forces that exist from the moment of releaseuntil the arrow is launched. This rotation of the bow causes the tailend of the arrow to be forced downwardly during the initial forwardmovement thereof.

Further observations have been made which determined that substantiallyimmediately upon release of the bow string, the rear portion of thearrow is deflected to the left by the archers fingertips. This causesthe arrow shaft to flex in a direction such that the arrow will be castto the left and off of the arrow rest. As the arrow travels forward, therear portion thereof tends to move diagonally toward the right. Thisaction brings the tail end of the arrow back in a direction toward thebow and very close the etc, but at a somewhat lower disposition thanthat of the forward end of the arrow due to the tendency of the bow torotate, as hereinbefore set forth. As a result, the tail end of thearrow may strike the arrow rest structure as the arrow moves or passesby the bow window, and thus the flight of the arrow is deflected, whichreduces the accuracy of the shot.

Perhaps a more accurate description of the initial action of the arrowis that the arrow flexes in a substantially horizontal plane, whichresults in a differential spacing between various portions of the shaftof the arrow and the bow as the arrow moves by the bow window. Thisaction, combined with the rotation of the bow in the archers hand, tendsto cause the rear of the arrow moving by the arrow rest to dropslightly, thus contacting the rest whereby the arrow is deflected duringthe initial movement thereof. This deflection, however slight, may havea great effect on the results of the shot, and is thus detrimental tothe overall accuracy of the bow and arrow.

The present invention contemplates a novel arrow rest structureparticularly designed and constructed for overcoming the disadvantagesof the presently available devices. The novel arrow rest comprises amovable button or plunger member adapted for receiving the arrow priorto the release or shooting thereof. As the arrow is released and movesforwardly across the bow, the plunger member readily retracts into thebow structure upon any slight pressure from the arrow if the arrow dropsbelow the initial rest position. The rapid retraction of the plungersubstantially precludes any restriction or deflec- 3,232,286 PatentedFeb. 1, 1966 "ice tion of the flight path of the arrow due to the reststructure, thus greatly increasing the accuracy of the shot. Inaddition, the disappearing rest plunger is constructed from atetrafluoroethylene plastic material, such as that sold under the tradename Teflon, and which is well known. This plastic material has alubricating quality that has proven to be beneficial to the overallaction of the shooting of the arrow. Furthermore, the arrow reststructure may be readily installed on substantially any type of howstructure, and is of a simple and economical construction.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel arrowrest device which may be readily installed on substantially any type ofbow structure.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel arrow reststructure particularly designed and constructed to substantiallyeliminate any restriction or deflection of the arrow moving across therest during shooting of the arrow.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel arrow restadapted to automatically respond to the natural action of the arrow forprecluding interference with the shooting thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel arrow restwhich is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable inconstruction.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the presentinvention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with thedetailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a broken side elevational view of a bow structure providedwith an arrow rest embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a broken front elevational view, partly in section, of a bowstructure provided with an arrow rest embodying the invention.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation view of an arrow restembodying the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an arrow rest embodying the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a tool for installing the arrowrest, and illustrating the arrow rest in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generallyindicates a bow structure of any suitable type having the usual gripportion 12. The grip 12 may be of substantially any style orconfiguration and as depicted herein may be provided with a recessed ornotched hand receiving portion or hand nock 14 spaced slightly below theshoulder portion 16. The shoulder 16 normally extends laterally acrossthe grip portion 12, and is frequently slightly arcuate, but it ispreferable that the shoulder 16 be substantially straight. A bow windowportion 18 is usually provided on the grip portion 12 conterminous withthe shoulder 16, as particularly shown in FIGURE 2. It is to beunderstood that the shoulder 16 and window 18 are normally provided onthe usual bow grip portion. However, many types of bow structures arenot provided with a shoulder portion, or a hand nock, but the presentinvention may be utilized with the bow regardless of whether or not therecess or neck is provided thereon.

An arrow rest device 20 may be readily installed on the grip portion 12of the bow 19 in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth in detail,and is preferably disposed slightly above the shoulder 16 to provide arest for the arrow (not shown) prior to the shooting thereof by the howit The arrow rest device 20 comprises an outer housing or sleeve 22preferably constructed from free machining brass material, but notlimited thereto, and provided with a suitable thread 24 on the outerperiphery thereof. The

forward end 26 of the housing 22, as viewed in the drawings, is closed,and is provided with a central aperture 23 ext-ending therethrough for apurpose as will be hereinafter set forth. In addition, a slot 3t)extends diametrically across the end or forward wall 26 for facilitatinginstailation of the device 20 in the bow grip 12.

A plunger member 32 is slidably disposed within the sleeve 22 and isprovided with a reduced stern portion 34 which extends through theaperture 28 and axially outward from the forward wall or end portion 26.The plunger or button 32 is preferably constructed from a suitableplastic material, such as that sold under the trade name Teflon, and isprovided with a central bore 36 extending longitudinally therethroughfor facilitating reciprocation of the plunger 32 within the sleeve 22.The bore 36 is enlarged at 38 for receiving one end of a suitable spring40 whereby the plunger 32 is constantly urged in a direction toward thewall 26. The opposite end of the spring 40 is anchored or rests againsta retaining ring 42 which is disposed on an annular shoulder or recess44 provided in the open end 46 of the sleeve 22. The retaining ring 42may be secured in the groove 44 in any suitable manner, such as by aplurality of radially extending lugs (not shown) provided on the outerperiphery of the retaining ring for cooperating with complementarynotches (not shown) provided around the shoulder 44.

In the assembled condition of the device 20, the plunger stem 34 extendsaxially outward from the forward Wall 26 of the sleeve 22, as clearlyshown in the drawings. The spring 40 constantly maintains the plunger orbutton 32 in the furthermost or left hand position as viewed in thedrawings. However, the tension of the spring 40 is particularly selectedwhereby only a very slight pressure is required for depressing theplunger 32, or moving the plunger in a direction in the sleeve 22against the pressure or force of the spring 40.

INSTALLATION In order to install the arrow rest device 20 in the bowgrip 12, it is necessary to provide a bore 48 in the grip 12. The bore48 is preferably spaced slightly above the shoulder 16 and extendsinwardly substantially perpendicular thereto. The bore 48 is of a sizefor receiving the sleeve 22, and the sleeve 22 may be threadedly securedtherein by means of the threaded portion 24. A special tool 50 (FIGUREis provided in order to thread the housing 22 into the bore 43.

The tool 50 is preferably of a hexagonal cross sectional configuration,but not limited thereto, whereby manipulation thereof is facilitated.One end of the tool 50 is provided with a reduced shoulder portion 52having a pair of oppositely disposed lug members 54 extending forwardlytherefrom. In addition, a central bore (not shown) is provided in thetool 50 of a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the plungerportion 34, and extends longitudinally through the tool 50 between thelugs 54 a suflicient distance to provide clearance for the plungerduring the installation of the device 2% in the bow grip 12.

The lug members 54 are adapted to engage the opposite extrernities ofthe diametric slot 30 provided in the forward wall 26 of the housing 22.In this position, the reduced shoulder portion 52 of the tool 50 is inabutting relation with the forward wall 26 of the housing 22, and theplunger portion 34 is disposed within the central bore of the tool 50.The tool 50 may then be manually rotated whereby the engagement betweenthe lugs 54 and the slot 30 will rotate the sleeve or housing 22 in thebore 48 for threadedly engaging the device therein. It will be readilyapparent that rotation of the tool 50 in one direction will move thedevice 20 inwardly in the bore 48, whereas rotation of the tool in anopposite direction will move the device 20 outwardly in the bore 48.

It has been found preferable to position the device 20 in the bore 48 insuch a manner that the plunger portion 34 protrudes from the bow window18 a length or distance substantially equal to onehalf the diameter ofthe arrow shaft plus %4 Of an inch. The tool 50 may be manipulated ashereinbefore set forth for adjusting the threaded engagement of thesleeve 22 with the bore 48 to position the plunger 34 as desired withrespect to the grip portion 12, or bow window 18.

Subsequent to the insertion or installation of the device 20 in the bore4S, it is desirable to provide a wear patch 56 (FIGURES 1 and 2) for theportion of the bow window 18 or grip 12 surrounding the plunger 34. Thewear patch 56 is preferably of a substantially triangular configurationand is constructed from plastic material, such as the Teflon heretoforementioned. The wear plate 56 is provided with an aperture (not shown) ofa size complementary to the diameter of the plunger 34 whereby the patch50 may be inserted over the plunger and disposed on the bow window 18.The patch is particularly adapted for receiving a suitable cement in anywell known manner, and may be securely cemented in position on the grip12. It has been found that the cement sold under the trade name ofPliobond provides a secure adhesion of the patch 56 on the grip 12. Thepatch 56 is of an extremely thin construction and protrudes from the bowwindow such a slight amount that there is substantially no interferencewith the arrow. In addition, the inherent qualities of the plasticmaterial from which the patch 56 is constructed tends to improve theaction of the arrow.

After the final adjustment of the device 20 in the bore 48, andSubsequent to the installation of the wear patch 56 on the bow window18, the plunger 34 should extend perpendicularly therefrom approximatelyof an inch beyond the center of the shaft of the arrow to be used.

OPERATION When the arrow rest device 20 has been installed on the how10, the bow may then be utilized in the usual manner for the shooting ofarrows (not shown). The outwardly extending plunger portion 34 functionsas an arrow rest for receiving the arrow thereon as is well known. Uponrelease of the arrow, the bow normally tends to rotate in the archershand whereby the upper limb (not shown) of the bow will move in arearward direction, while the lower limb thereof (not shown)simultaneously moves in a forward direction. At the same time, the arrowshaft apparently flexes upon release of the bow string from the archersfingertips, thus causing the forward end of the arrow to move to theleft, or away from the bow, and the tail end thereof to move in adirection toward the bow. This flexing action, combined with therotative action of the bow in the archers hand, causes the arrow movingacross the bow window 18 to drop slightly from the initial rest positionon the plunger 34, and as a result the arrow moves across the outer orexposed end of the plunger.

The plunger 34 readily depresses or moves inwardly within the sleeve 22against the force of the spring 40 upon any slight pressure of the arrowagainst the outer face or exposed end thereof. Thus, the plunger 34disappears or moves out of the way of the flight path of the arrowwhereby there is substantially no interference with the movement of thearrow. This permits the arrow to move to the left, off the plunger atthe earliest possible moment during the arrow flight, and the arrow isfree to move without deflection from the plunger 34, thus following atruer flight path than heretofore possible with other types of arrowrests. Since the plunger moves away from the arrow so readily as thearrow passes thereover, it is found that substantially any type of arrowmay be utilized in conjunction therewith with greater accuracy andefliciency, even the vane type arrows which are in such great demandtoday, particularly by experienced archers.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a novel arrow rest device having a retractable plunger adaptedto readily disappear or move to an out-of-the-way position upon a veryslight pressure from the arrow passing thereover. Thus, the arrow restdoes not deflect the arrow as it moves across the bow whereby theaccuracy of the shot is greatly increased. Furthermore, the inherentlubricating qualities of the plastic material is found to increase theoverall efiiciency of the action of the arrow. The novel arrow restdevice may be readily installed on substantially any bow structure, andis of an economical and durable construction. Whereas, the presentinvention has been described in particular relation to the drawingsattached hereto, it should be understood that other and furthermodifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be madewithin the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: 1. In combination with a how, an arrow rest devicecomprising reciprocal plunger means, means for inserting the plungermeans in the bow, and resilient means for urging the plunger means inone direction and responsive to slight pressure on the the plunger meansfor permitting movement thereof in an opposite direction. 2. Incombination with a bow, an arrow rest device comprising reciprocalplunger means, means for inserting the plunger means in the bow,resilient means for urging the plunger means in one direction to providea fully extended position therefor and responsive to slight pressures onthe plunger means for permitting movement thereof in an oppositedirection to provide a retracted position therefor,

and adjusting means provided for positioning the plunger means for apredetermined length thereof with respect to the bow in the fullyextended position of the plunger means.

3. In combination with a bow,

comprising an outer housing adapted for disposition in the bow,

a plunger reciprocally disposed within the housing and extending axiallyoutward therefrom,

means for adjusting the disposition of the housing in the bow forpositioning the plunger at a predetermined extension length from thebow,

spring means disposed within the housing for constantly urging theplunger in one direction,

means for retaining the spring means within the housand said springmeans responsive to slight pressures on the plunger for permitting theplunger to move in an opposite direction for retraction thereof from theextended position.

an arrow rest device References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATESPATENTS RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

LEONARD VARNER, 111., LOUIS R. PRINCE,

Examiners.

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A BOW, AN ARROW REST DEVICE COMPRISING RECIPROCALPLUNGER MEANS, MEANS FOR INSERTING THE PLUNGER MEANS IN THE BOW, ANDRESILIENT MEANS FOR URGING THE PLUNGER MEANS IN